Eleven children and seven adults have been poisoned by dangerous mushrooms this year, shock new figures revealed.

Statistics from the National Poisons Information Centre of Ireland exposed how vulnerable children put themselves at risk by eating what they find in their gardens.

There are 14 species growing in Ireland that can cause food poisoning and a further 13 species that are potential killers.

Food bosses have now warned the public to stay away from what they said can be deadly fungi.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) urged the public not to eat any part of a mushroom found in the wild without first seeking the advice of an expert.

They warned of serious risks posed by poisonous mushrooms and the need for parents to make sure their children do not eat anything that may be growing in gardens or fields.

The warning coincides with the start of the foraging season and an increase in enquiries to the National Poisons Information Centre of Ireland on the deadly mushrooms.

In 2013, 19 cases of poisoning related to wild mushrooms were notified to the Centre, involving seven adults and twelve children.

Ray Ellard, Director of Consumer Protection, FSAI said: “The high number of cases involving children in particular points to the need for parents and guardians to be vigilant and to teach children not to eat wild mushrooms.

“We’re advising parents and guardians to specifically watch children who may be playing in gardens or fields where wild mushrooms could be growing in case they accidentally eat a poisonous mushroom.”

According to Mr Ellard it is extremely difficult for amateur foragers to distinguish between safe and poisonous fungi growing in the wild.

He added: “Given the serious health implications, we’re advising people to be aware of the risks involved and to seek specialist advice from an experienced mushroom forager if they plan to undertake this activity.

"In our opinion, websites and books showing visuals of mushrooms are not sufficient to identify safe mushrooms and we would not recommend people to solely rely on these to determine the safety of a wild mushroom.

“It is important to note that cooking does not kill the potentially toxic chemicals that can be found in some wild mushrooms.

“Eating a wild poisonous mushroom, raw or cooked, can result in people becoming very ill with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea and, in some cases, it can result in liver failure.”